Fa·nat·ic
Pronunciation: f&-'na-tik
Variant(s): or fa·nat·i·cal
: marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion
How else do you explain sliding a 'wheeling trip into a family vacation? When my wife announced that her Aunt would be in Concord, North Carolina for a Collie Club of America show at the end of March; I began to formulate my plan. How could I be so close to Uwharrie National Forest on opening day and miss out on the fun?
Uwharrie, located in SouthCentral North Carolina, closes from December 15th thru April 1st to help control erosion. If that keeps the rabid environmentalists happy, we should be happy. Uwharrie's sixteen miles trail network offers panoramic views and levels of difficulty that vary, but more often than not there is a bypass, or less aggresive line if you are so inclined.
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/uwharrie/
My wife, Tirzeh, kindly reminded me that our two daughters, Destiny age seven and Grace age four, were to be in an Easter Program at our church. How I talked myself out of that one is beyond me but as you'll come to see, I came to regret it later.
When we arrived at the Eldorado Outpost at ten a.m. we had missed the group we were supposed to meet by about thirty minutes. Undettered, I purchased my day pass, topped off the tank of the Liberty and set off.
http://www.eldoradooutpost.com/
Heading into the ORV area, there is a stretch of pavement that is no more than a quarter of a mile long. As we approach the last turn before it returns to dirt, we encounter a sideways Dodge Dakota across his lane and ours. There is no place to go, I pull off into the weeds, as he over corrects and swings awary from me off onto the shoulder and keeps going. Sometimes, you have to be able to read the signs.
I started to jump into a group heading out of the Dutch John parking area, but I really wanted to go run Daniel. It was on my list of trails that I wanted to run and I just wanted to get it off my back. Sure, it may have been cheating due to the winter grooming, but the Liberty went both directions. We followed a CJ down Daniel and a pair of Samurais back up. Yes, there were some sphincter factor moments, but really I expected more. I'm starting to feel a bit over confident in the Liberty. As we head back to the parking are to see if we can locate a friendly face, I'm still sticking to my original plan.
The plan was simply to run Daniel and Dutch John and then face a five hour drive for home. With Daniel freshly scratched from the list we hit Rocky Mount Loop to connect us to Dutch John. When we arrived at Kodak rock, there was a crowd. Turn on full Aries mode as the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Evidently, there was a new line due to the removal of a tree.
I'd been down the bypass that is still difficult twice and up a touch harder line once before. This new line looks interesting, challenging, but I really think the Liberty is up for the task. When one of the guys at the obstacle says, "You can do it", I'm in full testosterone mode and planning my assault on the rock.
I make a u-turn to put the Liberty in position and nudge up on the rock. We make a little progress, but I know we can do better. Somewhere in my pea brain I decide that loud pedal is the solution and give it a good bump. With tires howling, we bumped and bounced the rock, close but no cigar. Next, I throw it in reverse for another try and think I'm almost on top. Failing just short once again, another try is certainly in order. Having heard a "tink" earlier, I'm watching listening to the front end for broken parts. I'm actually thinking, "darn, there goes a J.E. Reel CV". But as other wheelers come rushing over, my drivers side front tire flops out at an odd angle. Even through my cloud of adrenaline I know that isn't good.
Getting out to survey the damage, the aftermarket tubular a arm is broken due to a weld failure. In a flash, we have a motorcyle tie down and strap the a arm back together. As my stomach flops, I'm more worried about getting my three children home than the cost of parts. Now, we're forced to limp back to civilization to lick our wounds. One of the other wheelers informs me that the Outpost has a rental welder. We drive five miles out off Rocky Mount loop and Rockslab, avoiding everything possible. A gentleman on a Mule stayed with me all the way off the mountain to make sure I made it out. My hat is off to him.
Approaching Hwy 109, the Forest Service is setup and dually take note of my drivers side front tire leaning at a right angle. They yell, "You just trying to make it to the Outpost?" I rapidly shake my head yes and inform them of my broken a arm and need of a welder.
Limping up Hwy 109, I see a couple miles of motorcycles turning into the Outpost. I quip to my wife, "Look Honey, it's the Hells Angels." Turning into the parking lot, I realize that this is a Christian Motorcycle group by reading the patches on their backs. It brought a smile to my face, but then goosebumps on my arms. Was God sending me a message? Was all of this my due for allowing my own indulgence rather than have my children in an Easter Program?
Pulling my tools from the back and my Hi-Lift from under the seat, I prepare to seperate the upper ball joint to facilitate the repair. My wife is going into the Outpost, so I ask her to inquire about the rental welder of which we were informed. Unfortunately, it seems that some others had used it carelessly and due to liabilitly issues it was no longer available.
Chris from the Outpost told my wife to have me come see him. He had some local people that he thought could weld the arm back up to get me home. Of course it was difficult to find anyone on a Sunday afternoon. We also canvased the parking lot for welders to no avail.
Mike the local mechanic was out on the trail himself and one of the local welders, Sammy, was playing in a golf tournament. There wasn't a doubt I'd get welded up, it was just going to take time and money. All I had to do was be patient, of course I'm not a famously patient person, but I did my best. Some others seemed to be much more upset about the issue than myself.
Couple hours of chit chatting in the parking lot with many great people, Chris from the Outpost thought of Danny Cameron who had a portable welder. Ten minutes later and this giant of a man was on the scene to survey the damage. Assuring me that it was a non-issue he went home to get his rig and told me, "I'll be back in about thirty minutes", to which I wittily replied, "I'm not going anywhere." Danny cracked up at that one. I was just happy because I could see the light at the end of tunnel.
Danny had the arm welded back up in no time. We put it all back together and headed for home. Of course I'm a little freaked out with my three kids in car seats. About twelve miles from home we encountered a Lincoln with a flat. After the day I'd had there was no way I could leave someone on the side of the road at midnight. Four college age boys with a flat tire and desperate need of a flashlight which I was glad I could provide. That and explaining to them that the shank on the lugnuts had to go in when they put them on backwards.
All in all it could have been much worse. I'm very thankfull to those that gave me help and encouragement throughout the day, to included but may not be limited to:
The guys on Kodak rock who gave me the strap and assisted in getting the a arm strapped together.
The guy on the Mule who stayed with me until I got down to the road.
Everyone at the Eldorado Outpost who helped find a welder on a Sunday afternoon, allowed my children to play in their field and at one point offered to put me up for the night if the need arose (Do you get the picture about what kind of people these are?)
Chris and Meredith from Salisbury, North Carolina who stayed with me a good part of the afternoon before they had to return home.
Bill from L.O.S.T. who offered to make a five hour round trip to bring me his uninstalled a arms. He also offered us lodging so we didn't have to drive home in one sitting and demanded to make sure that I called him when I made it home safely.
Two guys from Concord in the yellow YJ who kept me laughing and reminded me how much fun it really is.
Danny Cameron for coming out on a Sunday afternoon to get me back on the road without putting a crowbar's worth of damage on my wallet.
Anyone I missed, I apologize but know that your assistance did not go unappreciated.
Of course my loving dear wife for putting up with me.
Guess where my butt will be next Sunday morning?
Sorry, no pictures but we left the camera at home and I refuse to use my crummy cell phone pictures.
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